When snow visitors clog our roads and roadsides, the traffic jams are a headache for locals

By Marcy Axness, TME

There’s a price to be paid for living in a place that becomes a frosted wonderland several times each year, and for Mountain Communities residents, that price is navigating around the visitors who flock here on weekends or holidays after we get snow.

Local drivers can be delayed in long lines of incoming cars being stopped by California Highway Patrol officers to check for chains, and, depending on conditions, only allow residents through.

The Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce’s 2018-2019 Resident Permits are now available. PMC has resident windshield stickers, but those are not dated.
According to CHP officer Rich Anthes, the PMC sticker hasn’t changed in several years, “so we’re more than likely going to be checking those vehicles a little more closely,” he says—like asking for other proof of residency.

“With the blue dated hang tags, we’ll most likely wave you right through.”

He said it is “not a matter of one will get you through and one won’t.” Either one will get you through.

Officer Anthes emphasized that everyone, even local residents, are required to carry chains when the “Chains Required” signs are showing.

The Resident Permits are available for $5 at Ace Hardware or at The Mountain Enterprise office.

This is part of the December 14, 2018 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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